The names of four Hyrdo One employees who were killed in a helicopter crash northeast of Tweed earlier this week have been released.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the names of the Hydro One employees who lost their lives in Thursday's tragic accident,” began a Hyrdo One statement on Saturday.

Hydro One identified the men as 39-year-old James Barager, 27-year-old Kyle Shorrock, and Jeff Howes and Darcy Jansen, both 26.

The men were killed while working on a transmission tower in Tweed.

Hydro One says Barager, the pilot, had been with the company since 2009 and was from the Orillia, Ont., area.

Howes, of Bath, Ont., and Jansen, of Long Sault, Ont., were both line technicians and had been with Hydro One since August 2013.

Shorrock, of Inverary, Ont., had been with the company since 2014 and was also a line technician.

“Our focus continues to be on supporting the impacted families through this difficult time,” continued the statement. “A family assistance centre has been established in the Municipality of Tweed.”

“The Hydro One family extends our deepest condolences, support and care to the grieving families and loved ones of James, Jeff, Darcy and Kyle.”

Mel Hyatt, president of the Power Workers’ Union (PWU) expressed condolences in a similar statement.

“Today, the Power Workers’ Union family is mourning the loss of our fellow brother, James Baragar, and our colleagues Jeff Howes, Darcy Jansen and Kyle Shorrock,” stated Hyatt. “Our deepest sympathies go out to their families and their loved ones.”

The crew was travelling in a Hydro One helicopter to perform work on a 230kv transmission tower at the time of the incident, but for now, all other information surrounding the fatal aviation accident is scarce.

“We ask that everyone co-operate with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation team members as they conduct their investigation,” continued Hyatt.

Professional counselling services are being made available to union members and a counselling centre is being established for the people in the Tweed area.